How Much Does an Adoption Cost?

Fee Schedule sample of estimated costs

Application fee: 
$200.00

Application fee is due at time of applying with Heartstrings Adoptions. This is a non- refundable fee unless denied for not meeting adoptive parents qualifications.

Home Study:
VARIES

A home study is required by law, depending on your needs to start, update or review your home study. Heartstrings Adoptions can help you with your home studies anywhere in Utah. An additional fee might apply for mileage if living outside of the Salt Lake City Valley. Utah requires by law that the home study is updated annually. We welcome home studies from other agencies but must be approved and reviewed to make sure it meets all qualifications.

Matching: 
Varies

Once matched with a prospective adoption 50 percent of the total agency fee is due. This is primarily used to cover some of the birth mothers living expenses. The balance of the placement fee is due at relinquishment.

The Agency fee includes all-

  • Birth parent travel expenses

  • Advertising and business related expenses

  • All birth-parents living expenses including rent, utilities, food, transportation, maternity clothing, and entertainment.

Counseling Visits:
$100.00/each

Utah law requires that birth-mothers receive up to 3 pre-birth counseling sessions. Heartstrings will encourage the birth-mothers to take advantage of the support needed at this emotional time in her life. Utah law also requires that the birth-mother receives counseling right before signing the relinquishment documents 24 hours after birth. All sessions will be provided by a licensed social worker with Heartstrings Adoptions.

Placement:
Balance of Agency Fee

At this time the remainder of the agency fee is due. Child is than placed in your guardianship.

Post Placement Reports:
$100.00/each

Within the state of Utah a licensed social worker from Heartstrings Adoptions will follow up with post placement visits to make sure the child is bonding and to address any concerns. Utah families will be required to pay for 2 sessions. For families adopting outside of Utah, you will be responsible to contact and pay for a licensed social worker in your area to complete this step before finalization. Please note each State has different requirements for the amount of post placement visits needed. Once the report has been made by the social worker, it will be submitted to the court and the adoption may be finalized.

Additional Fees:

Medical expenses will vary in each situation. It is the sole responsibility of the adoptive parents to cover these costs. At Heartstrings, we do our best to keep costs down and try to enroll birth mothers into public health programs if applicable, but cannot guarantee they will receive the coverage. Prenatal and delivery in Utah can be obtained at a discounted rate and paid upfront (average cost $5,000-10,000).

Legal fees are the responsibility of the adoptive parents and will vary in each situation. Heartstrings Adoptions will work to make sure all Utah laws are followed and birth-father rights are terminated. A “Determination of Paternal Rights” may be needed to be obtained by an attorney. All fees will be paid directly to attorney. An attorney will also be needed for finalization. Typical legal fees can range from $5,000-10,000.

ICPC- (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children)

If you live outside of Utah, or anytime you are crossing between two states, you must wait for your Interstate Compact to clear before traveling home with your child. Please beware that you may not leave until you get notified, and by doing so you could jeopardize the adoption. Clearance is not within the agencies control and could take up to two weeks. During this time you would be responsible for all lodging/transportation etc.

Refund Policy

All fees are non-refundable except as follows:  Application fee is refundable if application is rejected by the agency. If a birth-mother does not place after matching, actual costs incurred by Heartstrings will be shared 50/50 and remain non-refundable (detailed costs will be provided). Any remaining balance can be applied as a credit towards the placement fee of a future match.